Gorgeous property, stunning views from our room, friendly and welcoming staff (and awesome…read morebartenders in the cozy bar), and the food def lived up to the hype. Wonderful dinner with top notch service. Full Irish breakfast was included with our stay and was a lovely combination of self serve meats, cheeses, yogurts, pastries, fruit, granola, breads and juices plus, made to order items off the menu. Everything made in house or sourced from small local farms and producers. So, here's the shocker ...this is not a castle, it's more of a country house/estate but it is warm, cozy, inviting, and just lovely in ways a castle just couldn't be anyway. Fires in the fireplaces, little nooks and corners with comfy chairs and whimsical artwork all throughout. I would've been happy to just meander around the hotel and property for days but there is so much to see and do in the area as well. An absolute must is a Burren tour, you cannot begin to understand or appreciate the terrain in this area without learning about it firsthand. The hotel staff will happily set that up for you, we had our tour with Shane Connelly and he was as the Irish would say, a real character. He did not disappoint, the authority in the area and we enjoyed every bit of teasing he threw at us along the way, which was plentiful and great fun. If you are fragile or thin skinned don't book this one and save the good time for the rest of us!
Also to note, there are two cats that live in the hotel and are given free range in specific public areas. They happily doze in the bar by the fire, oversee you playing cards or doing a puzzle and will occasionally enjoy your lap, if invited. So if you don't like cats please don't book. I travelled with someone that is allergic to cats and wasn't bothered at all but that may not be everyone's experience. I found the rescue donkeys, horse and cats to be a perfect addition to a charming property.